Final: Panthers 17, Raiders 6

The Raiders can’t catch a break, nor are they good enough to make their own.

That much was evident Sunday in a 17-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, a game that was destined to be a struggle the moment Carson Palmer left the game for good with 1:57 left in the first quarter.

Hit from behind by Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy, who was called for roughing the passer, Palmer did not suffer broken ribs, according to X-rays, but he was in too much pain to continue.

Palmer gave way to Matt Leinart, who struggled with timing and rhythm after sitting the bench all season. The Raiders managed only 21-yard and 31-yard field goals by Sebastian Janikowski in falling to 4-11 before a crowd of 73,026.

Carolina (6-9), in its regular-season home finale, got a 23-yard touchdown pass from Cam Newton to Steve Smith and a 3-yard from Newton in what was a fairly stout game by the Oakland defense.

Graham Gano kicked a 51-yard field goal with 2:46 remaining to put the game away for the Panthers.

Newton completed 18 of 29 passes for 170 yards and rushed 12 times for 60 yards. Leinart was 16 for 31 for 115 yards and an interception.

The Raiders had reason to be frustrated about the way things went down in losing their 10th consecutive game in an eastern time zone.

On Newton’s touchdown pass to Smith, Carolina tackle Byron Bell appeared to be holding Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston. No flag was thrown.

In the second quarter, a Carolina drive was extended when Tommy Kelly was called for unnecessary roughness after scuffling with Newton. Newton had initiated the altercation by kicking Kelly after the sack.

Later in the same drive, linebacker Miles Burris was called for unnecessary roughness on what appeared to be a hard, clean hit on tight end Greg Olson.

The Raiders got a break when Graham Gano missed a 48-yard field goal attempt, but Oakland gave the ball right back two plays later when Leinart was intercepted by linebacker Luke Kuechly. That initiated a 29-yard drive which resulted in Newton’s touchdown run.

Two times in the third quarter the Raiders forced turnovers in Carolina territory and managed only six points.

A forced fumble by Chimdi Chekwa was recovered by Richard Gordon at the 32-yard line, but the Raiders worked quickly backward to the 42 before Shane Lechler was forced to punt.

The Raiders were forced out of field goal range when Jared Veldheer was called for holding on third-and-10, forcing the ball to the 43, and a Leinart pass to Brandon Myers gained a single yard.

On the final play of the third quarter, Philip Wheeler deflected a Newton pass to set up Oakland at the Carolina 18.

The Raiders had first-and-goal at the 8 after a Charles Godfrey penalty against Rod Streater for a head-high shot on third-and-9.

Terrelle Pryor, inserted on three occasions with Leinart split wide, tossed a 5-yard pass to Marcel Reece to the 3. McFadden trotted into the end zone for an apparent touchdown, but it was called back on a holding penalty by Stefen Wisniewski.

Janikowski eventually connected from 31 yards.

Finally, after Leinart drove the Raiders to the 24-yard line, a Rod Streater narrowly missed a leaping grab at the 5-yard line on third-and-4, failing to bring the ball all the way to the ground against the defense of James Dockery and D.J. Campbell.

On fourth down, Leinart couldn’t find his first read to his left, attempted to throw a screen to his right to Darren McFadden, and Hardy batted the ball down to end the threat.

Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer

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549. Easy JDB. Successful people are willing to compromise when they realise they’ve made an honest mistake. The ball (so to speak) is now in the hands of more importantly Marc and Reggie.

ENGLANDRAIDER

Raider Riff Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Jesusraiderjim Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Without going into detail lets just get a blog survey of yes or no for GRUDEN as HC only (no GM powers)

(DISCLAIMER: for the HC position only, we agree we dont want Gruden as GM/HC)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Not that it matters because it’s not happening since he likes his current job.

But……………………………….NO.

That’s over, that’s done, it-is-a-dead-pigeon.

You might as well call for Madden or Flores to come back.

Jackie Bibby

zyturd, zytard zymurge. Lmao what a loser.

http://www.Raiders.com KoolKell

Pryor says he knows the playbook front and back.

Yet the coaches give him a 2 trick plays? That’s a look?

Charlie

Reality

Still no vision?

Who would you have hired and how would you have gone about doing it given the reality qouted below?

Reggie quote:
“Guys, I mean what happened this offseason, I don’t wish that on anybody, maybe the other teams in our division. That was a struggle, especially coming in here as a rookie GM. I remember talking to Ted Thompson. His rookie year he was able to get Charles Woodson. I would have liked to have done that. I talked to guys all around the league. I didn’t realize what the situation, how difficult and what other people thought about it. When you get the job people call and say, ‘What are you going to do with that cap? You’re all what over the cap. How are you going to do that?’ We can get it done because you got to.
You want the players to doggone take it upon themselves and run it. We’re not at that level.”

Viable coaching candidates know what the challenge is in Oakland. That is why names such as Dennis Green, Bill Parcells, Sean Payton and Whisenhunt walked away in the past. (How are those guys doing by the way?)

My vision is that we maintain coaching continuity and get better players in the box with our top three picks over the next two drafts.
Sorry- no quick fix. Just hard work.

Jackie Bibby

Anyone who supports DA is a straight imbecile, and thats a fact.

John David Booty

Zymurge Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Raiderjambo Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 3:52 pm
533. Zymurge. I’m also using my ESP to get a glimpse into the head of the coaching (?) and playing staff (?), and it also comes up blank!

=====

Hey, they’re smart enough to keep Pryor off the field as a regular QB. That alone proves that they know more than everyone in here combined.

Unlike Pryor, they (at least the young’uns Tarver and DA) have a bright future in the NFL and will get better with more seasoning.
————————————————-
Just curious, what is it that gives you confidence that DA and Tarver will be successful, or have a bright future? What exactly are you basing that on?

Raiderjambo

553. Zymurge. As crazy as it may sound I agree Tarver as a DC does have a bright future in the NFL. I like his intensity, and realise he is dealing with cards he was dealt with. As for DA, I don’t think he is head coaching material yet. Still not seasoned enough, and won’t be the first rookie head coach who has failed miserably.

tuckrulefool

Im still in disbelief…

How in G*ds name did Leinert stay in ALL GAME?

I think the conspirators are spot on.

they KNOW Pryor can ONLY make them look foolish at this point.

No UPSIDE for the CLOWNE COACHE CADRE if they play him.

of course MASSIVE potential upside for the RAIDER FRANCHISE and FAN BASE if he plays but thats now what these a55has are covering right now….

They have make the calculation to SAVE ARSE at all costs. Playing Pryor could have destroyed them had he succeeded. “WHY HAS HE BEEN ON ICE”?

now if you DONT play him then we will never know. Playing him and he does poorly doesnt have much upside or downside fo the CCC so no use in playing him.

AVOID THE BIG DOWNSIDE potential. That is, PRYOR lights it up.

Pretty much it.

In any case?

FIRE THe CLOWNE COACHE CADRE, STAT!

Go*d i am praying the Mark Davis isnt Mike Brown.

PLEASE have a clue this offseason….

CDERaider

John David Booty Says:
Dennis’ days are numbered. So, with that said, how do we fix this thing next season?

——————————————-

Its probably easier than it seems. Hire Jack Del Rio as HC and kick Sharpie back to the Broncahoes.. Del Rio, very experienced, ex-player that commands respect, a bay area guy with ties to the Raiders. Reinstate Al Saunders as OC go back to power offense with Palmer and DMAC the focus. With a solid draft focused on Defense and Del Rio running the ship, I am certain we would be back in the playoff discussion with the division still being relatively weak.

tuckrulefool

Im still in disbelief…

How in G*ds name did Leinert stay in ALL GAME?

I think the conspirators are spot on.

they KNOW Pryor can ONLY make them look foolish at this point.

No UPSIDE for the CLOWNE COACHE CADRE if they play him.

of course MASSIVE potential upside for the RAIDER FRANCHISE and FAN BASE if he plays but thats now what these a55has are covering right now….

They have make the calculation to SAVE ARSE at all costs. Playing Pryor could have destroyed them had he succeeded. “WHY HAS HE BEEN ON ICE”?

now if you DONT play him then we will never know. Playing him and he does poorly doesnt have much upside or downside fo the CCC so no use in playing him.

AVOID THE BIG DOWNSIDE potential. That is, PRYOR lights it up.

Pretty much it.

In any case?

FIRE THE CLOWNE COACHE CADRE, STAT!

G*d i am praying the Mark Davis isnt Mike Brown.

PLEASE have a clue this offseason….

morilla

Jackie Bibby Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Anyone who supports DA is a straight imbecile, and thats a fact.
——–

Not crooked or cattywhompus imbecile? Straight?

RaiderIsland

Jac
kie Bibby Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 4:04 pm

Anyone who supports DA is a straight imbecile, and thats a fact.
===============
If it’s your opinion, it can’t be a fact. My comment isn’t an opinion. It’s a fact.

Sweep The Leg.

ENGLANDRAIDER Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 4:01 pm
Raider Riff Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Jesusraiderjim Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Without going into detail lets just get a blog survey of yes or no for GRUDEN as HC only (no GM powers)

PROPOSITION GRUDEN

yes no
==========================================

Put me down as yes.

BUT….sequels are never as good as the original.

Except, “The Empire Strikes Back”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNoi_wwzbtQ Zymurge

John David Booty Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 3:53 pm
At this point, theres no point arguing with the people in the pro-Dennis Allen boat. A couple of reasons. One, Im not sure they really exist outside of the internet, and that may be just to irritate people. I havent met one Dennis Allen supporter in person, and I know more thn my fair share of Raiders fans. Two, if they do exist, its probably about 2% of the entire Raider Nation, so I dont deem that as a big enough percentage to even entertain an argument with them anymore. The bottom line is MOST Raiders fans, yes, the MAJORITY do not like or support Dennis Allen. Mark knows this. Dennis’ days are numbered. So, with that said, how do we fix this thing next season?

=====

Most Raiders fans have lost every ounce of patience and are only going to be satisfied with instant gratification at this point. The ones I speak with, and that includes myself (damned voices in my head!) aren’t sold on DA as either good or bad yet but all agree that we won’t know until he’s had a couple of years under his belt and at least one season in a non-completely-salary-cap-hosed-roster season to see what he can do.

Put another way, I support continuity and letting a very young coach that many football people (as in the people paid for that role not us know-it-all bloggers) thought highly of develop. I think that’s the better option than yet another change.

I expected a 3-4 win season with the combination of rookies at GM, HC and DC along with a completely whack cap situation and saw that as investment in a better future. The key to any good investment is to know what your exit criteria is. In this case, for a one year exit I would have expected a complete meltdown, like 1 or less wins and no positive signs. In this case, I think seeing the positives of:
- Improved the penalty problem that many failed at over the years
- Established a meritocracy where players that earn it play and those playing on scholarship only (see: McClain, Rolando) get replaced.
- Showing the seeds of a good defensive system despite having subpar talent. You gotta agree that the starting 11 on the defense that has played well the past few games is undermanned. Picture this same unit with some draft or FA help at just one each of DE, MLB and CB.

CDERaider

I agree on Tarver – he has fire and creativity and looks like a Raider – have Del Rio continue to mentor him and keep him on staff as DC – would save us money and give the D some continuity.

If you look at the interview someone posted of him after today’s game you can tell he was disappointed and even a bit frustrated at how many plays he got. Specially since Palmer went down. I really don’t know why they just won’t play him a bit more. At this point, it’s a bit strange.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNoi_wwzbtQ Zymurge

tuckrulefool Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Im still in disbelief…

How in G*ds name did Leinert stay in ALL GAME?

I think the conspirators are spot on.

they KNOW Pryor can ONLY make them look foolish at this point.

No UPSIDE for the CLOWNE COACHE CADRE if they play him.

of course MASSIVE potential upside for the RAIDER FRANCHISE and FAN BASE if he plays but thats now what these a55has are covering right now….

They have make the calculation to SAVE ARSE at all costs. Playing Pryor could have destroyed them had he succeeded. “WHY HAS HE BEEN ON ICE”?

now if you DONT play him then we will never know. Playing him and he does poorly doesnt have much upside or downside fo the CCC so no use in playing him.

AVOID THE BIG DOWNSIDE potential. That is, PRYOR lights it up.

Pretty much it.

In any case?

FIRE THe CLOWNE COACHE CADRE, STAT!

Go*d i am praying the Mark Davis isnt Mike Brown.

PLEASE have a clue this offseason….

=====

whatever you say mistic

ENGLANDRAIDER

Jackie Bibby Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Anyone who supports DA is a straight imbecile, and thats a fact.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

No…although anyone who makes a statement like that is certainly an imbecile.

Given to hyperbole much?

http://www.Raiders.com KoolKell

Did Palmer reach 4,000 today? If not, that’s the goal this week. It means millions to him.

Charlie

See my post 558.

Why would Gruden want to do it?
To make you feel good?
To put up with your expectation of a quick turnaround when he knows it is a massive undertaking?

He can make as much money broadcasting as he can in coaching.

It is funny how fans in Philly thought he was a knucklehead as an OC. Never got enough touches for Garner. Too many screens.
They used to say the same things about Gruden that you guys do about Knapp.

If you look at the interview someone posted of him after today’s game you can tell he was disappointed and even a bit frustrated at how many plays he got. Specially since Palmer went down. I really don’t know why they just won’t play him a bit more. At this point, it’s a bit strange.
=====================

Let Pryor take all reps this week and turn him loose.

Why not?

CDERaider

Reggie didn’t expect a 4 win season – he said so publicly before the season – he expected the 2012 team to be in the playoffs. Now, his vibe is more ‘We knew it was going to be struggle this year..’

BullSchite – DA screwed this team up and its time for action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNoi_wwzbtQ Zymurge

CDERaider Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 4:08 pm
I agree on Tarver – he has fire and creativity and looks like a Raider – have Del Rio continue to mentor him and keep him on staff as DC – would save us money and give the D some continuity.

====

What we don’t know is how much of the defense is Tarver and how much is DA coaching through Tarver. Let’s not forget that DA’s root are as a DC where he has more NFL experience than Tarver. For all we know, the system is 100% DA and Tarver is his protege.

Not to say that I don’t like Tarver, but just that we don’t know how much credit each of them get.

CDERaider

Pryor should get the start next week. Leinart should never throw another pass as a Raider. Another terrible FA signing.

http://www.Raiders.com KoolKell

I would have been satisfied with just Knapp being fired. Not anymore DA’s got to go too. Don’t know what his qualifications were in the first place.

If you look at the interview someone posted of him after today’s game you can tell he was disappointed and even a bit frustrated at how many plays he got. Specially since Palmer went down. I really don’t know why they just won’t play him a bit more. At this point, it’s a bit strange.
=====================

Let Pryor take all reps this week and turn him loose.

Why not?
——-

Not going to happen. After today it’s pretty clear. TP is a done deal.

VanHeathen30

Reggie can’t come out during the pre season and say “we should compete for a playoff spot, be pretty good” and then have the WORST stretch of defeats EVER on the way to a 4-12 season that saw us barely be competitive. Then come out and say that we were too thin on the roster when it doesn’t happen.
He’s a LIAR and a Fool!
This fan base deserves better, much better…

EMRaiders

Sweep The Leg. Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 4:07 pm
ENGLANDRAIDER Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 4:01 pm
Raider Riff Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Jesusraiderjim Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Without going into detail lets just get a blog survey of yes or no for GRUDEN as HC only (no GM powers)

PROPOSITION GRUDEN

yes no
==========================================

Put me down as yes.

BUT….sequels are never as good as the original.

Except, “The Empire Strikes Back”.

+++++++++++++++++++++

Perfect name for a Raiders comeback season. And who better to lead it than Chucky.

“Chucky Returns” and “The Empire Strikes Back”…. I can see it now. The marketing for this has no limits!…

VanHeathen30

DA is a panty waste who doesn’t have the respect of his players….
The D is just as reckless as ever, and the O, still takes penalties at the worst possible times.

ray_d

Al really screwed us, he should of hired a GM years ago and let him take over. He knew his health was bad. I’d say its going to be 3 years before we get this mess fixed

Sweep The Leg.

Reggie seems overwhelmed/shocked. This team regressed plain and simple.

They tried to fix what wasn’t broke, and didn’t fix what was.

I’m think there must be a coaching change even if that means admitting his own

failure to picking the right guy.

It’s been one face plant after another this year.

In my gut I think DA should be gone, but somehow I think they rationalize things

and he stays.

CDERaider

Zymurge I see your point, but I gotta think its Tarver and not DA. Watching the pressers, Tarver articulates about the scheme, game plans, execution, etc so def running the show on D.

DA on the other hand, well between all the humming and hawing and the ‘we gotta do a better job’ – I don’t think anybody thinks he knows what he’s doing. Plus lets be honest he was a DC for one season under a heck of a Defensive mind in Fox.

DA is nothing more than a position coach – maybe a decent DC someday – def not head coach material..

2romes

Yes, your point exactly. They want Raider fans that knew the Raiders were close to the playoff to over look the incompetence of how this coaching staff was put together. Reggie’s gut feeling and DA 20th ranked defense in the league. That was solid decision making in Mark’s eyes? And it does not get any better with the choices DA made!!! Mistakes,Mistakes and Mistakes.
——————————————————-

554.Raiderjambo Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 3:58 pm
549. Easy JDB. Successful people are willing to compromise when they realise they’ve made an honest mistake. The ball (so to speak) is now in the hands of more importantly Marc and Reggie.

Just Fire Baby

Looking at the schedule next week, before kickoff we should know exactly where we are drafting, win or lose.

Raiderjambo

577. No problem with DA help coaching “D” if Tarver is struggling in his first NFL season as Defensive coach. However, on the other side of the ball if the offense is also struggling, then DA as “Head Coach”, has also got to understand this and make the necessary playcalling/adjustments to help our offense over the inept playcalling of Knapp.

VanHeathen30

The “New Stadium” is looking like more and more of a pipe dream, (crack pipe that is) with Mumbles and Pinnochio at the helm…4-12 teams don’t garner new billion dollar stadiums.
Wait until the tickets don’t sell, and the merch slows down, Mark will have the For Sale sign up sooner than he thinks

I see I hurt the DA apologist feelings well to bad because I dont give af. I dont feel bad for blind mice. from 8-8 to 4-12 with two of the wins coming from the worst team in the league says it all. You guys who support such trash are imbeciles and youre all offended by my statements because the truth hurts. Dennis allen is an awful hc and has done nothing to prove otherwise, all he has are excuses for why he should come back blaming others. He has achieved nothing to give himself a case based off of his own accolades just excuses. He has no case to defend himself and neither does his lame @ZZ supporters. Just excuses… Which is why I consider him a sorry excuse for a coach.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNoi_wwzbtQ Zymurge

CDE – #586:

My point is that we can’t know. Being articulate in press conference is a different skill than creating a defensive system, getting guys bought into and teaching it, etc. I don’t think projecting from how they handle the pressers into their coaching competence is accurate.

I agree Tarver seems right on it and that DA’s answers are different but remember that they have very different roles. As HC he has to be more high level in what he talks about.

Also, let’s not forget that Allen selected Tarver, who was essentially a no name, as the guy he wanted. That means he found a guy that has a very similar philosophy as his and can help implement his vision.

In the end, it’s probably around 50/50 on the credit.

CDERaider

584. Totally. Al must have known Mark was incompetent. I think maybe he expected Hue to be the guy who would take the GM role moving forward maybe that’s why Hue was saying the stuff he was but Mark made sure that didn’t happen.

Dennis Allen would make Al Davis furious. Talk about shades of Kiffin.. This guy is even *worse*. Mark is pissing on his Dad’s legacy.

I respond as follows:
Who cares about what happened 40 years ago? I want someone to care about what’s happened this year with the Raiders. Offensive Coordinator Greg Knapp has single-handedly emasculated what was a half-way decent offense last year. He’s put us another three years behind the eight ball. We are not even Pop warner quality right now. Why is Knapp still employed by the Raiders? Why isn’t Al Saunders calling the plays? Why is Dennis Allen so oblivious to what’s going on around him? Why hasn’t Reggie McKenzie gone out onto the field and kicked a certain Head Coach & some of his assistants square in the ass? Why hasn’t Mark Davis pulled out the overhead projector and dusted it off? Why haven’t some heads been lopped off? Everybody is just too damned complacent. All I can do regarding this fiasco is to complain and NOT repurchase next year’s season’s tickets. It’s time for some action BOTH on & off the field. Being an NFL bottom-dweller year after year has gotten old. The current effort is just not good enough.

VanHeathen30

DA will be back cause Mark can’t AFFORD to fire him and pay the contract…
Mark got taken to the cleaners by Reggie when he came in and re organized the biz from top down…Now Reg is the Man, and Mark is just along for the ride, no matter what Mark may say in public…As soon as Mark took over, he handed over the reigns…exactly the opposite of the old man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNoi_wwzbtQ Zymurge

Jackie Bibby Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 4:23 pm
I see I hurt the DA apologist feelings well to bad because I dont give af. I dont feel bad for blind mice. from 8-8 to 4-12 with two of the wins coming from the worst team in the league says it all. You guys who support such trash are imbeciles and youre all offended by my statements because the truth hurts. Dennis allen is an awful hc and has done nothing to prove otherwise, all he has are excuses for why he should come back blaming others. He has achieved nothing to give himself a case based off of his own accolades just excuses. He has no case to defend himself and neither does his lame @ZZ supporters. Just excuses… Which is why I consider him a sorry excuse for a coach.

=====

whatever you say mistic

Just Fire Baby

If we fire Reggie, who will Mark hire?

He relied on his dad’s buddies for Reggie, and held one interview.

He would have to hire a President of football operations or something like that.

RaiderSam

VanHeathen30 Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 4:26 pm
DA will be back cause Mark can’t AFFORD to fire him and pay the contract…
Mark got taken to the cleaners by Reggie when he came in and re organized the biz from top down…Now Reg is the Man, and Mark is just along for the ride, no matter what Mark may say in public…As soon as Mark took over, he handed over the reigns…exactly the opposite of the old man.

—————————————–

“Matt’s our back-up quarterback,” “Terrelle’s done a nice job. He’s working extremely hard. We don’t feel like he’s ready to be the backup quarterback yet, and we feel like Matt would give us the best chance.”
-Dennis Allen

RaiderSam

CDERaider Says:
December 23rd, 2012 at 4:24 pm
584. Totally. Al must have known Mark was incompetent. I think maybe he expected Hue to be the guy who would take the GM role moving forward maybe that’s why Hue was saying the stuff he was but Mark made sure that didn’t happen.

Dennis Allen would make Al Davis furious. Talk about shades of Kiffin.. This guy is even *worse*. Mark is pissing on his Dad’s legacy.

—————————-

Agreed.

Dakota

Rockstar…..looks like I am going to win the FF championship unless Rice lights it up tonight.

Sorry bro….but you were probably just happy to be there right?

Jackie Bibby

Lol so im mistic now? Haha thats funny.

Marks hair

Worst coaching staff in the league. Everybody who disagreed with me is stupid.